Posted in News on Thursday, June 4, 2020 by The Beachcomber Tours Correspondent

Mauritius is actively preparing to welcome back tourists and travellers in the near future. Everything is being done to ensure that this takes place under the strict protocols of health, safety and sanitary conditions, notably due to the current global COVID-19 pandemic.

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), the leading authority representing travel and tourism in the world, has acknowledged the efforts undertaken by the Mauritius Tourism Promotion Authority (MTPA), which has implemented a series of compulsory health measures to activate the recovery of the island’s tourist activities, an important economic sector for the country.

Since 26 April, no local cases of the COVID-19 virus have been recorded in Mauritius, which has prompted the government to remove sanitary containment from 31 May. The reasons for the control of the pandemic are to be found in the initial and timeous responsiveness of the Mauritian authorities, and the effectiveness of a primary health system well-seasoned in dealing with epidemics such as malaria or dengue disease.

This successful outcome for the most popular tourist destination in the Indian Ocean can be attributed to the government which, as early as January this year, launched a series of stringent measures to contain the spread of the virus, following the global evolution of the pandemic.

After the gradual closing of the borders, the application of strict containment measures and isolation of those testing positive, followed by intensive contact tracing and tests, the country is now entering its next phase as it prepares to welcome its first visitors back to the island in the near future, once borders open up.

The WTTC brings together more than 200 CEOs, presidents, and directors of the world’s largest travel and tourism companies, from all geographies covering all industries. The WTTC strives to promote travel and tourism as one of the largest economic sectors in the world, supporting one in 10 jobs (330 million) worldwide and generating 10.3% of global GDP. Over the past 30 years, the WTTC has conducted research on the economic impact of travel and tourism in 185 countries.